BioLite stoves

BioLite Campstove

I'm always interested in camping equipment innovations which reduce weight/size, increase efficacy, and/or eliminate the need for other equipment. While I'm not one of those guys always sporting the "latest and greatest" equipment, I do focus on significant technology improvements. Recently I've become intrigued with the BioLite CampStove which burns wood efficiently (with the help of an integrated fan), and converts thermal energy to electricity to power the fan as well as charge small electronics like cell phones. In addition, the CampStove technology and funds from CampStove purchases enable the company to provide those in developing nations currently cooking with unhealthy open fires with a cleaner, low-cost, electricity-generating cook-stove, the BioLite HomeStove.

Gas camp stoves can be convenient, but the gas canisters are bulky, bad for the environment, and must be purchased at stores. Wood burning stoves are lighter and more sustainable. There are wood burning camp stoves that are less expensive than the $129 CampStove and lighter (~5-10oz vs. 33oz), but they require you to blow into the stove fire constantly thereby breathing in acrid smoke. Not pleasant. If the CampStove's fan works as it should then it will stoke the fire for you, and require less wood gathering since the combustion is more efficient (YouTube reviews). The thermoelectric generator converts heat into electricity not only to run the fan, but to charge small electronics. That's great for emergencies like Hurricane Sandy, but I leave electronics behind when I'm camping. I hope to see BioLite offer a similar but lighter, less expensive power module that removes the USB charging components.

The technology along with capital from sales of CampStoves enable BioLite to provide low-cost HomeStoves to developing countries. This social entrepreneurship could significantly help billions of people who daily gather wood and cook over open fires, inhaling smoke and carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion. The HomeStove, which is in pilot programs around the world, could reduce wood required as well as emitted smoke and CO while charging cell phones or small lights (very important in rural off-grid villages). It's still early, but the impact HomeStoves have across the globe could be monumental.

BioLite HomeStove